Ambuja Foundation in collaboration with the Association of Breast Surgery, UK (ABS) along with Association of Breast Surgeons in India (ABSI), District Health Department, Gir Somnath and Gujarat Medical Council hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness event in Kodinar, Gujarat. With a focus on empowering the rural communities of Gujarat, the event received generous support from Ambuja Cements, whose commitment to social impact played a pivotal role in its success.
The event was honoured by the presence of Nilesh Jajadia, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Junagadh, alongside distinguished dignitaries from Adani Cements and Ambuja Foundation. The gathering was further elevated by the participation of eminent health experts from ABS UK and ABSI India, as well as senior doctors from cancer hospitals in the Saurashtra region, senior district health officers, making it a prestigious and impactful occasion.
The event in continuation to the previously held awareness event in Chandrapur and Bathinda also held with ABS and ABSI focused on awareness, early detection and capacity building on the best practices and techniques on cancer care. Till date, over 6000 women were reached through this awareness camps, 3700 underwent clinical breast examinations, and 17 high-risk cases were identified and referred to hospitals for further diagnosis and treatment. This event aimed to train regional level doctors practicing oncology, newly appointed Community Health Officers and ASHA workers of Saurashtra.
The health experts in the region, which included national and international level doctors and nurses from ABS and ABSI were present during the 3 day health education and check-up camp providing training to over 70 doctors and 200+ community health officers and ASHAs on self-breast examination techniques (including practical training on lump identification on breast prosthesis), early identification of cancer and recommendations for treatment. The third day breast cancer camp had over 130 women beneficiaries attending for breast examinations and received counselling. The newly trained CHOs and ASHAs also had the opportunity to practice their skills under the guidance of the faculty.
According to various studies, in Gujarat, breast cancer cases are rising, with around 54,000 cases reported in the last five years. Cervical and ovarian cancers are prevalent in the Saurashtra region and needs to be addressed among young women (18-30 years). In 2023, Ambuja Foundation introduced cancer interventions under its Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) umbrella and had organized awareness programs in Chandrapur, Maharashtra and then in Bathinda, Punjab.
“It has been a meaningful intervention since 2023 as we collaborated closely with oncologists, physicians and healthcare professionals from ABS, ABSI and the Gujarat Medical Council. Our regional healthcare workers and volunteers get to learn from their expertise and experiences. We aspire to broaden this initiative across our other locations to create awareness around cancer and promote healthier communities in the rural areas. We will attempt to keep on extending this programme in other affected areas of the country going forward,” said Pearl Tiwari, CEO, Ambuja Foundation.
Dr. Leena Chagla, FRCS, Consultant surgeon and Past President – Elect, ABS, UK who has been the initiator and scientific brain behind this project said, “We are pleased that ABS, UK and ABSI have partnered with Ambuja Foundation as this partnership enabled us to expand our outreach and enhance our breast cancer awareness campaign. It is an opportunity for our doctors and health experts to share their experience and expertise with the vital healthcare workers serving rural communities in India. Together with Ambuja Foundation we remain committed to strengthening our fight against breast cancer and expanding our efforts to other rural regions across the country,’’
“These 3 days have been eye-opening; to witness the work of Ambuja Foundation in promoting health initiatives. The programme, initiated through the personal connections of ABS Past President Leena Chagla become embedded in the strategy of the Association of Breast Surgeons UK. As President, it has been such an honour to experience the amazing hospitality of the Ambuja team and the whole community. This was further honoured by the presence of the President of the Association of Breast Surgeons of India, Dr D G Vijay, joining in person for the third day. This has helped us cement the connections beyond the personal to ensure sustainability of the project”, said Dr Sarah Downey, President, ABS UK.
Dr D. G. Vijay, President, ABSI was delighted to join the event and said, “It was a pleasure to be part of this in my home state of Gujarat and as President of ABSI I want to confirm our commitment to this important project”.
